Classic Champ Cliff Pace Lucky to be Alive from Tree Stand Accident

Cliff Pace's Hunting Accident Prevents Defending Classic Title 

Gary Tramontina/B.A.S.S.

Cliff Pace, the 2013 Classic champion, won’t be fishing in the 2014 Bassmaster Classic because of a deer stand accident that happened Friday Jan. 27.

Pace broke his left leg in two places while bow hunting for deer near his home in Petal, Miss.

“I was actually done with my hunt and climbing down from the stand when the accident happened,” said Pace. “It was a cold day, even here in southern Mississippi, and I had cotton gloves on. Part-way down my hand slipped out of the glove, and that’s when I fell.”

Pace tried to push away from the tree so he wouldn’t land on his back or head. He was successful on that front, landing on his feet. But his left foot landed in a hole and jarred his leg enough to break it in two places, once above the knee and once below it. And in the process, he also tore the ACL in his left knee.

What happened to Aaron Martens on Day 4?

By Luigi De Rose

Aaron Martens safe as motor rips from his boat.
(Photo: BASS)

If you look at the standings you will see that Aaron Martens finished in 12th on the final day. He scored a zero. A blank in the standings leaves a lot of us wondering. What happened to Aaron?

Aaron is fine and recent up-dated his facebook page. While journeying back to the weigh-in he clocks several nasty waves and ripped the motor from his boat. He is fine but couldn't make it back to the ramp under his own power so his final day catch was void.

Here is his statement from is page:

Aaron and the boat are out of the water and everyone is fine. He confirmed he had about 21 lbs of smallmouth. He was coming off of Lake Erie into the mouth of the Detroit River when he hit a combination of 3 or 4 giant waves (made by multiple freighter style boats) at just the wrong angle. The bolts that hold the motor on the boat snapped. He is working on securing the motor so he can trailer it back to the launch ramp. 

He is bummed, but he did say he was happy for Chris Lane Outdoors for the win. Aaron knew it was a risky run and it just didn't work out the way he hoped. 

We'll get more from Aaron soon.

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